By The Minister of State for Works, Muhammad Bello Goronyo, has emphasized the need for alternative funding sources to maintain Nigeria’s 35,000-kilometer federal road network. He noted that relying solely on annual budgets is insufficient to meet the country’s road maintenance needs.
Speaking on Monday during a visit to the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) office in Lokoja, Kogi State, Goronyo highlighted the challenges of sustaining road infrastructure with limited government funds. He stressed the importance of exploring new financial options to keep the country’s roads in good condition.
The minister, accompanied by FERMA’s Managing Director, Engr. Chukwumeka Agbasi, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to completing road projects efficiently. He stated that innovative funding strategies are necessary to ensure continuous maintenance and development.
According to a statement from the Ministry’s Director of Information, Mohammed Ahmed, Goronyo acknowledged that Nigeria’s vast road network cannot be fixed overnight. He urged stakeholders to embrace creative solutions to secure the necessary resources for road maintenance.
The federal government, he added, remains focused on ensuring timely project delivery while enforcing strict oversight to ensure contractors adhere to quality standards.
As discussions on alternative funding continue, stakeholders are expected to explore options such as public-private partnerships, infrastructure bonds, and external financing to support Nigeria’s road network.
